No matter what your political affiliation is or your viewpoint on the motivations of war this Memorial Day let’s do more than shop on the last Monday in May. Memorial Day was originally set aside as Decoration Day to be a time of commemoration for the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. Today known as Memorial Day, all Americans who have died in military service are remembered. Employers provide vacation days for employees, retail stores have tremendous sales and some break out the barbeque for the first time in many months.

I have the utmost respect and appreciation for those who put on a uniform to protect the life and liberty of others. Included in those sentiments are those that serve in the various law enforcement agencies, fire fighters and others around the country that literally put their lives on the line daily for others. They too have families, dreams and plans for their future, which seem to be snatched from their grasp.

Between the other duties, sales and eating expeditions destined to take place on Monday, May 27^th take a moment and think about the countless individuals that did not return back home to their families after donning their respective uniforms. Thank God and them that you and I have more today because of their willingness to lose, even their lives.

Many have a fear of death. It means separation from loved ones here and uncertainty about what comes next. Each of us has a measured amount of time to be here in relationship with others. God knows that timeline. We simply know that our stay here will end. Once we are born we race toward the end of this leg of our journey.

Those we are fortunate to share this earthly existence with are to be loved. We are to spend our time giving glory to God. In 1 Corinthians 10:21 the Apostle Paul records it this way, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (King James Version) Loving our neighbor as ourselves gives God glory. Do you love your neighbor? Do you love your family? Do those that are part of your neighborhood or family members see evidence of that love?

How are you using your measure of time? Are the things that you do, whatever they are, done to the glory of God? What is the yardstick you measure your actions against? What guides your life?

We are not made aware in the beginning of our journey when our end will come. What if today is your last day? What if your last opportunity to give glory to God where in the next few minutes, what would you do? With every tick of the clock we are closer to the end, what will you do with your last moments? The choice is mine; the choice is yours, Take Inventory and Take Action.

Regarding those final days some will have more uncertainty than others. Our Maker has provided many answers for those of us that choose to read His word and have a relationship with Him. For others there is probably much more fear. Are you fearful of what will come as you shed the earth suit you currently wear as flesh? What, if anything can you do to be less fearful of what will happen next? What do you know for sure about what will happen?

Each of us will go the way of the many commemorated on Memorial Day. How are you using the time you have left? Do you know what happens when you leave this body? Do you have blessed assurance of what the future holds?

Give some thought to how you will celebrate the God that has given you the opportunity to nurture yourself and others by using the gifts He has bestowed upon you! Don’t allow the sales, the food, and an extra day to sleep in late, nor uncertainty and fear deter you from making the most of whatever time you have left.

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”